Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1887-08-19

am rather sorry that we have not kept
to the old simple custom. Still, when
Lady Mills offered a marquee, and to
come herself to help to sell, and to
bring her friends, we were obliged to
make difference. But if Lady Mills
comes she'll bring lot of idle young
men. and they will make fun of every
thing; and I don't want those fast
gentlemen from London to get to talk
ing to the village girls"
IL don't think they will want to do
so" said Mr.. Reade.
And in the slight hustle of departure
he whispered to me:
WAIT, and I'll come back and take
you home"
But, when I had put on nv hat and
mantle, and Mrs. Manners had led me
down into the drawing-room again, to
say a few last words to me, l heard a
ring and Mr.. Rayner' voice in the hall.
started and blushed, and Mrs. Man.
ncrs stopped in her talk and looked at
me very searchingly.
"Mr. Rayner must have come to
fetch you home" she said, coldly.
Iwould not have missed the walk
home with Mr. Reade for the world.
81 am afraid so," stammered.
She looked colder still at my con-
fusion; but there was only one way out
of it. so burst out:
"Oh. Mrs. Manners, Mr.. Reade said
he would come to fetch me! What
shall do?"
You would rather 60 with himP"
''Oh, YES, yes!'
Her manner changed all at once.
She put her arm around me and drew
me to the French window.
There, my dear-run out there and
wait at the gate on the left. That's
the way they always come from the
Hall. 1t is Little deception, / am
afraid; but there-go. child, go! He is
a good lad"
So ran swiftly across the lawn in
the dusk. The path curved just at the
end, and as Mr.. Reade dashed round
the corner, running. too, fell against
him, and then painted out: II beg your
pardon, very much confused. He had
caught me by the arms, and he did not
let me go. Lut held them very gently,
while he said:
Miss Christie! Pray don't apollo
Size. Where were you running?"
'I-I was going home," stammered
in low voice.
"But that is not the way"
said nothing.
''Why did you want to run home so
fast alone. when l had promised to
come and fetch you?"
"I-I didn't want to trouble YOU"
"That was very kind of you. But, if
| happen not to mind the troublexunay
| see you home now l am herep Or
would you prefer to 90 alone?"
81 would rather 90 alone. thank
you,' said l. though it was heart
breaking to have to say it. But l
thought it was time to show some
spirit, for l saw that MIR. Reade did not
believe me
He stepped aside to let me pass, and
raised his hat very stitlly; then his
manner changed all at once.
"Why are you crying! My darling,
| didn't mean to make you cryr'
could not stop him-I did try-but
he was so much bigger than l that he
had his arms around me before could
get away.
"Oh, Mr.. Reade, let me gor' l said,
frightened.
But, as l held up my face to say it,
he kissed me, and, after that. of course
it did not matter, for l knew that he
loved me and that WAS safe with him.
! remember every word he said to
me as We walked toward the Alders
that night; but. if l were to write it
down, it would read inst like the same
thing over and over again. and not 1T
all as it sound d to me.
We did not 90 straight back, but a
longer way round. for fear the grass
should make my feet wet; and we
passed the front gate and went on to
the side gate that led past the stables.
And there Laurence left me, for did
not want that spiteful Sarah to see him
with me. l went through into the
shrubbery so happy that could scarce
ly keep from singing softly to myself.
But as l came close to the stables l
left of for fear Mr.. Rayner, who might
be in his room, as it was now quite
dark, should hear ME, and want to
know how l got back and why l was
so late; and just then could not have
told him. ! wanted to slip upstairs to
my room without seeing any one and
go straightway to sleep with the re-
membrance of Laurence and his last
kiss all fresh and undisturbed in my
mind. Then l thought l should dream
of him.
But l was disappointed. For close
to the stable walls l saw two men,
neither of them Mr.. Rayncr, and one
had dark lantern. thought they
acted like thieves. They sauntered
around as if waiting for some one.
Then they came close enough for me
to recognize them, and saw to my
surprise, that one of them was Tom
Parkes and the other the gentleman
who had visited Mr.. Rayner one even
ing. and whose familiar conversation
with Sarah had surprised me. had a
full view Of his face as he passed. He
was short, of slim, neat build, fair,
clean shaven, with grey eyes and an
tmperturbable expression of face.
When they We're opposite me they
turned back, and just as they got to
the harness-room door Sarah came
from the house with the key and let
them in and followed herself. And in
another minute Mr.. Rayner passed me
from the road and let himself in after
them.
This mysterious affair, which l could
not understand in the least, spoiled
my dreams. l did dream of Laurence,
but l dreamed l was carried away
from him by burglars.
CHAPTER XIV.
Laurence had promised to come for
me early next morning. So when that
time arrived put on my white frock
and broad sash of palest lemon and
pink that had been saving for some
great occasion. Then l slipped into
the garden to gather flower to wear
at my throat. l purposely chose q
faded rose in the hope that Laurence
might notice it and get me one HIM
self to wear. But Just as l had done
this Mr.. Rayner came out and pro-
tested should not wear such mis-
shapen thing as that. So he gathered
lovely tea rose and found bit of
long soft moss to put around it. This
was not what l wanted at all. Laur-
ence would never dare to suggest that
this was not pretty enough to wear.
After breakfast went to the school
room with Haidee. l was not in my
usual instructive mood, and when. I